World's Rarest Barbie Fetches a Record Price for a Good Cause

by Annie Scott (RSS feed)
Oct 21st 2010 at 2:01PM

You may remember our listing of the World's Rarest Barbie by Stefano Canturi, which was up for auction at Christie's to benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Not surprisingly, this auction set a record for Barbie herself, fetching a whopping $302,500.00.

This doll, which exudes Canturi's signature cubist design, wears over three carats of white diamonds and a necklace bearing a one-carat Fancy Vivid Pink emerald-cut diamond from the Australian Argyle mine -- a magnificent stone the lucky buyer could easily reset, if he or she dares disassemble Canturi's creation.

Christie's New York hosted the auction on October 20th, and the extravagant Barbie was bid on by buyers both in the room and over the phone. The doll was won by a private collector in Asia, and 100% of the proceeds went straight to BCRF.

This price beats the previous Barbie record, set by Christie's South Kensington in 2006: $17,091.00 for the 1965 Barbie in "Midnight Red."

Tags: Argyle mine, auction, Barbie, pink diamond, Stefano Canturi

Filed under: Auctions, Charity, Celebrity Design

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

BP DeCarlo Oct 22nd 2010 7:48AM

Of course it's rare! How many dolls are out there wearing real diamonds and an emerald? I have a "rare" Gumby poseable figure dipped in gold and rolled in diamond dust with platinum eyes. Any offers??

Mona Oct 22nd 2010 8:46AM

I hear Barbie was involved with G-I Joe! Besides, they make a better pair.

sunny Oct 22nd 2010 9:31AM

I don't know about that.
I always kinda thought GI Joe was gay.

sunny Oct 22nd 2010 9:27AM

I wonder if my cool Malibu Barbie in the original package and FAO Schwatz Christmas wrapping paper would fetch a cool million or two.

Mona Oct 22nd 2010 9:58AM

@Sunny, LOL Ya know, I heard that too! Who knows, maybe he had the best of both worlds!

Mona Oct 22nd 2010 10:02AM

LOL It might! Just post a pic and description of it on eBay and see what it generates! LOL. & I heard G-I Joe was gay but who knows, maybe he had the best of both worlds!

Deniseann Oct 22nd 2010 10:38AM

if the money wasn't going to a good cause I wouldn't be as shocked. Some of the things you see for sale out there at people will spend millions on is ridicules. You could feed an entire nation with the money some people are willing to spend on STUFF.

But this Barbie was for a good cause so Thank You to the Buyer.

Tom Oct 22nd 2010 11:51AM

To Deniseann: You wrote "if the money wasn't going to a good cause I wouldn't be as shocked."

Why would you be less shocked if the money was not going to a good cause?

sharon Oct 22nd 2010 12:00PM

anyone know where I could find how much the old barbies are worth. my daughter has been collecting them sense she was a little girl.shes now in her forties and has every year barbie.

decaturdog Oct 22nd 2010 11:56AM

She's OK, but I would rather have my #1 Brunette Barbie, my #3 Blonde Barbie and the exquisite Plantation Belle costume! Vintage Barbie's rule!

Deniseann Oct 22nd 2010 12:54PM

Tom, People who buy really ugly paintings, jewelry from a movie star just because of the status of owning them are wasting money that could be used on those who need a winter coat, hot meal, bed to sleep in.

The money needed to continue studying breast cancers and other diseases doesn't come from the gov't, it comes from you and I, those willing to share what we can.

To spend money on trivial things because they belonged to a famous person or is famous for other reasons I find frivolous and sad, that someone would rather spend a fortune for something no one will ever use when there are children right here in the U.S. going to bed hungry, or going without a winter coat. Spend the money you'd use to buy STUFF and help those who need the help.